Fantasy Football Ratings: Quarterbacks

Z-Report Says: Brees threw for over 5,000 yards last year and this year figures to be the same type of season for Brees who is a can’t-miss QB from a statistical standpoint.

2. Tom Brady – Patriots – Round 2

Z-Report Says: Pretty much every draft projection has Brady here, but I could definitely see a scenario where Brady throws for more TDs than Brees. The problem for Brady in terms of his fantasy value is going to be if the Patriots try and protect him early in the season by increasing the rushing attack; however, I doubt that happens.

3. Peyton Manning – Colts – Round 2/3

Z-Report Says: While I have Brady ranked higher, Peyton Manning is about as safe a choice for fantasy football as you’ll find. Only one time over the last ten years has he not thrown for over 4,000 yards and he has NEVER thrown for less than 26 touchdowns in a season. He still has plenty of weapons at his disposal.

4. Aaron Rodgers – Packers – Round 3

Z-Report Says: I was high on Rodgers as a sleeper last year and I think he has a chance to finish in the top two this season. Rodgers had a terrific year last season and got stronger as the season rolled on. With the Packers deep wide receiving corps and with their aggressive offense, there is no reason to believe that Rodgers won’t be as good or better than last year.

5. Kurt Warner – Cardinals – Round 3

Z-Report Says: Last year, Warner looked like the same QB who was so effective with the Rams and he’s got the same weapons again this year. My problem with Warner is that last year was the first time in seven years that he was a healthy, full-time starter. I’m worried about Warner’s durability.

6. Philip Rivers – Chargers – Round 4

Z-Report Says: I can’t look past the 34 touchdowns and 4000+ yards passing last year, but I also expect LaDainian Tomlinson to be a bigger factor this year so I have Rivers production dropping a little bit from last year.

7. Donovan McNabb – Eagles – Round 4

Z-Report Says: McNabb has some very dangerous weapons surrounding him now, but the fact still remains that McNabb hasn’t been a QB who cranks out high TD numbers over the last four years. I think that changes this year and I think McNabb is a great value pick this year.

8. Matt Schaub – Texans – Round 5

Z-Report Says: Despite his bouts with injury in the past, I think taking Schaub in the 5th round is a safe pick from a value standpoint. Schaub’s yardage was solid when he played last year and his TDs will go up this year as he is comfortable within Gary Kubiak’s offense.

9. Tony Romo – Cowboys – Round 5

Z-Report Says: I think Romo is way too high in most ratings because they are working off of the numbers that he’s posted the last two years. The problem with that is there is no more Terrell Owens and I’m not sold on the Romo’s ability to post those same numbers with Roy Williams as his top WR. I expect the Cowboys to run the ball more this year.

10. Matt Ryan – Falcons – Round 5/6

Z-Report Says: I doubt Ryan has a season outside of the top 10 based on the fact that his running game is solid, he has an outstanding, young WR and he’s added a reliable target over the middle in TE Tony Gonzalez. Ryan is the type of QB you target if you want to get your top two WRs and RBs drafted first.

11. Jay Cutler – Bears – Round 6

Z-Report Says: I’m a fan of Cutler’s, but as an owner you can’t ignore questions like who will be his top WR, how much will Matt Forte diminish Cutler’s production and how will he perform in a new system?

12. Carson Palmer – Bengals – Round 8

Z-Report Says: Keep a watchful eye on Palmer and his ankle sprain as that could effect his draft rating. Reports indicate that Palmer’s arm strength is back after last season’s surgery and despite losing T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Palmer still has WRs on his team who can make plays.

Riskiest Quarterbacks

1. Matt Cassel – Chiefs: He looked good throwing to Moss and Welker but let’s see if he can step his game up with an inferior team and with the increased pressure of his new contract. I wouldn’t touch Cassel until much later in the draft.

2. Kurt Warner – Cardinals: I list him as risky based on how early he’ll be drafted versus his history of injuries. Warner isn’t very mobile and he’ll have to face a schedule that is much tougher this season.

3. Carson Palmer – Bengals: While Palmer has the potential for a nice bounce-back season, he is still dealing with a high ankle sprain and he lacks mobility in the pocket. He also has to face the Steelers and Ravens four different times.

Quarterback Sleeper

Trent Edwards – Bills: Edwards still has plenty of room for growth, but the Bills upgraded their offensive line through the draft and now he has two very capable WRs to throw to in Owens and Lee Evans. He is worth a late round selection as a backup, but he might end up being more than that for you.

32 Responses

Good stuff. Is this the year Jason Campbell becomes a decent qb? I’m in a ppc league and it just seems like he should have some late round value considering that cooley caught a lot of balls last year and the emergence of their young wr’s. Eitherway, I think someone like Trent Edwards might have a little more appeal in the late rounds with that no huddle and T.O.

With Cooley and the slew of WRs he has, he is worth a late round backup status., but I agree about Edwards over Campbell.

Not sure how you can put Schaub so high when there is no objective reason to believe he can go a full season. If he stayed healthy sure he belongs that high, but I would rather have Romo Ryan and Cutler because you can reasonably expect to count on them.

Rodgers is an excellent fantasy QB – its unfortunate that it doesnt translate to winning games. 0 for 8 with the ball in his hands to tie or win games in the 4th Quarter.

I think Rodgers will be fine. The defense has to get better up front for the Packers and it should with Cullen Jenkins.

how do you think eli will do without burress?and a group of wide recivers that are somewhat unknowns

I think he’ll be better prepared for this year since last year he went into the season expecting Burress to be his top WR throughout. His WRs are average and they will be a run first team so I think he’s one of the earlier backups to be taken at QB.

Rodgers was one of the highest scoring QBs in the league last year. However, I’m not huge on keeping QBs just because there is decent depth. I would probably keep Johnson and Rodgers on your team though.

Thanks for your post. I’ve been waiting on your fantasy report for weeks. (I sent an e-mail requesting to be added to your newsletter but I didn’t get a response. Oh well.)

I’ll be out of town for work thru mid Nov. Will you be doing more post-game podcasts during the regular season? I really enjoyed your fresh takes after the Chiefs game.

BTW, what are your thoughts on the WR situation in Chicago? I drafted Earl Bennett pretty late (4th string WR) hoping he’ll rekindle his old magic with Cutler. I see him being more of a possession receiver than Hester. Although, both Forte and Olson look to be far superior red zone options from what I hear.

How do you see that playing out? Is Bennett worth keeping? Or should I trade him for Jerricho Cotchery? I just don’t see Sanchez being this year’s Matt Ryan–but I could be wrong. 2xRods!

Bennett is Cutler’s guy from Vandy so I honestly believe he’s got a chance to be a big time sleeper. Olsen will have a big year, but I don’t know what think of Hester. He’s got the potential to have an Eddie Royal type year, but we’ll see how Cutler likes him.

Double rods! I landed the #2 pick in our work fantasy football draft and usually I would be elated however this year, I am not too excited about my choices at #2. Do I take one of the 4 candidates (Jones-Drew, Turner, Forte, D. Williams) or do I pull the trigger on Brees or Brady. My thinking is that there are questions with all 4 running backs. I am in a 12-team league with touchdowns counting for 6 points and an extra 0.5 points per reception. I appreciate your time.

I would have to go MJD there and then you have a good shot at getting Peyton Manning on the way back.

Thanks for the list. I can see moving a few here in there, but I think it’s just preference. I like Drew as my first choice, then will probably look to Manning, Schaub, Rivers then Ryan. Cutler will bomb in Chi-Town, or at least I don’t think the same numbers we got last year will be there.

For a sleeper, I love me some Matt Hasselback. Snakebit team with injuries last year, and has added Houshmanzadeh, who is playing with the red ass. Average Draft Position is anywhere from 11 – 13th round. Plus, its an odd year – check out his production in odd years.

I’ve been able to listen to 1560 a lot more often lately as my schedule has changed a little. For the first time this morning I’m giving Tim Brando a shot… I tune in in the middle of his show, and he’s interviewing a guy from Dallas about the Cowboys??

Dude, what the hell. Is he doing his national show from Houston or something? Or is this guy really interviewing a guy from the Cowboys on a local Houston show?

Either way – FAIL!!!

I don’t have a problem with Brando, but Cowboy content on Houston radio is something I cannot tolerate. I’ll expect you and John to spend at least one full segment talking derogatorily about the Cowboys tomorrow to balance things out.

Hey Lance, had a blast last night at the Mug Awards.Congrats on 2 years. Kinda paying for it a little bit today though lol. How do I email you at the show? Thanks for the fantasy information, got my 1st of 2 drafts tomorrow night. Double Rods!

LZ, Congrats to 1560 THE GAME on you alls 2 yr mark. Keep up the good work and continue to make us all laugh. Have you guys thought about making 1560 THE GAME flags so we could fly them at the 09 Texans tailgating season? I think it would be a sweet way to show allegiance and stick it to the man!

If I was a fantasy guy, I wouldn’t have any QB’s in the first round. For the first time in a long time, there’s questions about Peyton’s team, and Brady is coming off injury. You’re right to have them in the second round.

LZ–in a non-PPR league, do i have a legit argument to keep brandon jacobs over chris johnson? lendale white looks alot leaner this year, which leads me to believe that, unless chris johnson scores from outside the 20, then he wont score at all. jacobs is NYG’s goalline hammer but gets a little dinged, but with that new contract i’d think they would want to feature him.

i have been solidly in johnson’s corner the whole offseason but seeing white in the HOF game got me thinking. every possible projection i’ve seen have them close to each other in terms of overall scoring.

thanks for all the hard work.

I think you could definitely make that argument if Jacobs can stay healthy since LenDale will be a TD vulture.